Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything; do not perform anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!" Paul Tillich You Are Accepted September 21, 2014 The Worship of God Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:45 a.m.
WELCOME TO THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH We are grateful for your presence this morning. Third Church strives to be a faithful, open and inclusive congregation. We are a diverse people united by a common faith in Jesus Christ and by meaningful worship and service. We invite all who are seeking to live a life of Christian faith and discipleship to join us. If you are new to Third Church, the following information may be helpful. Parking On Sunday mornings: Street parking is possible on both sides of East Avenue. On Sundays, the Arnold Park parking lot is available for handicap parking only. Other parking is available in the Meigs Street parking lot and can be found at: Jewish Community Federation (Sibley Place) American Association of University Women Rochester Area Community Foundation Century Club (all on East Avenue) In the event of a medical emergency, please notify an usher or staff member. An AED and first aid supplies are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and elevator. Hearing Assistance: The Chapel and Sanctuary are equipped with induction loop systems. Use the Tswitch of your hearing aid. If you have difficulty hearing during the worship service, please speak with an usher immediately. An Elevator is located at the Parish House- Education Building junction to assist in accessibility. Large Print Bulletins and Bibles are available from the ushers. Hymnals and Bibles are located under the first row pews. Children and Worship: Children s worship bulletins, Bibles and activity clipboards are available from the ushers. Child Care is available in the Education Building for infants and toddlers to age three. Church School is available for children, preschool through sixth grade, during the 10:45am worship service. Coffee Hour follows the worship service. All are invited to this time of fellowship in the Celebration Center. Pastoral Care needs and prayer concerns may be communicated to Martha Langford. More about Membership: If you are interested in joining Third Church, or just want to know more, contact Lynette Sparks. The next Exploring Membership Dinner will be on October 12. Newsletter: The Messenger is published monthly. Copies are available at the back of the Sanctuary, in the literature racks outside Johnston Hall and online. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter, contact Cindy Mark in the Church Office (cmark@thirdpresbyterian.org or 271-6513, ext. 100). A WORD ABOUT THIS CHURCH THIRD CHURCH participates in the Presbyterian Church (USA) Commitment to Peacemaking. Our intention is to pursue avenues of peace and justice for ourselves, our families and communities, for all people in the world in which we live. We seek to be agents of reconciliation. THIRD CHURCH has joined with other Presbyterian congregations in declaring ourselves to be a More Light church. We are committed to the full participation of all persons in our church community without regard for sexual orientation, personal background or human condition. www.thirdpresbyterian.org Find us on Facebook: Third Presbyterian Church THIRD CHURCH STAFF OFFICE: 271-6513; VOICEMAIL: 271-6537 John Wilkinson, Pastor ext. 105 Martha C. Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care ext. 108 Lynette K. Sparks, Interim Associate Pastor for Outreach and Evangelism ext. 106 Lucinda B. Lamme, Parish Associate Peter A. DuBois, Director of Music/Organist ext. 109 Mary Ann Rutkowski, Associate Director of Music ext. 102 Rebecca D Angelo-Veitch, Coordinator of Children s Ministries and Congregational Life ext. 118 Jane S. Carden, Youth Ministry Coordinator ext. 107 Caroline Robinson, Assistant Organist William W. Young, Pastor Emeritus Roderic P. Frohman, Pastor Emeritus
Preparation for Worship We come to worship from a busy and noisy world. As we prepare to offer ourselves in praise and adoration of God, it is important that we step back from our preoccupations and focus our thoughts on God. We ask that you please turn off all cell phones and pagers. As the music begins this morning, please take time to become more aware of the continuing presence of God. Stand as you are able PRELUDE Liturgical Improvisation George Oldroyd My soul hath a desire and longing to enter the courts of the Lord. Psalm 84:2 CHORAL INTROIT Psalm 24 Israeli Folk melody (10:45) Junior Choir Lift up the gates eternal, lift up your voices; The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices. See, all the earth is God s, its people and nations; God built it on the deeps and laid its foundations. Lift up the gates DOXOLOGY PLEASE STAND AS THE ORGAN INTRODUCTION BEGINS OLD HUNDREDTH Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. CALL to WORSHIP from Psalm 105 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon God s name: make known God s deeds among the peoples. Sing praises to God, and speak of all God s marvelous works. Glory in God s holy Name: let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Search for God and God s strength; continually seek the face of the Lord. HYMN 478 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven LAUDA ANIMA PRAYER of CONFESSION God of life, grant us your forgiveness. We have been heedless in our thoughts, cruel in our words, shameful in our actions. We are indifferent to a world made sad by want and wastefulness; we pass by on the other side when we see our neighbor in need; we wander from the way that leads to peace in paths of our own pleasing. God of our life, grant us your forgiveness. For Christ s sake we pray. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER KYRIE ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE: Friends, believe the good news. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. CHILDREN S MESSAGE Following the children s message, children are invited to proceed to the education building for Sunday school. The nursery on the middle level of the education building is available for children to age three. DISMISSAL of CHILDREN WORDS of WELCOME We ask that you sign the Friendship Pad and pass it to the person next to you in the pew. Please greet those worshipping with you at the close of the service.
EPISTLE LESSON Philippians 1:21-30 (Pew Bible, NT page196) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. ANTHEM The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee William H. Harris The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord: and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand: and fillest all things living with plenteousness. The Lord is righteous in all his ways: and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: yea all such as call upon him faithfully. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry and will help them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him. - Psalm 145:15-20 GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 20:1-16 (Pew Bible, NT page 21) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON Expectations Transformed: Acceptance John Wilkinson HYMN 358 Help Us Accept Each Other BARONITA AFFIRMATION of FAITH Belonging to God: A First Catechism Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Who are you? I am a child of God. What does it mean to be a child of God? That I belong to God, who loves me. What makes you a child of God? Grace God s free gift of love that I do not deserve and cannot earn. What did God create? God created all that is, seen and unseen. What is special about human beings? God made us, male and female, in the image of God. What does it mean that we are made in God s image? It means we are made to reflect God s goodness, wisdom and love. Amen.
PRAYERS of the PEOPLE (Prayer Request cards are available in pew pockets and can be placed and THE LORD S PRAYER in the offering plate.) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. PRESENTATION of OFFERINGS ANTHEM Psalm 121 David Conte RESPONSE I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold. He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
ALL: Merciful and welcoming God: We thank you for every good gift, including the promise that you accept us into your love. Bless what we give and bless who we are, that we might share your good news with a searching and hurting world. For Christ s sake we pray. Amen. HYMN 370 Just As I Am, Without One Plea WOODWORTH CHARGE and BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE GREETING POSTLUDE Fugue in G J.S. Bach (BWV 577) Persons wishing to listen to the postlude at 10:45 are encouraged to move to the front of the sanctuary; those wishing to visit are invited to coffee hour. The flowers this morning are given to the glory of God in loving memory of George Fredric Meyer and Helen Gaylord Meyer, beloved parents of Helen Phillips. The Memorial Prayer Candle is lit today for all those who grieve and mourn. DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ORGANIST: ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: ASSISTANT ORGANIST: PARTICIPANTS IN THIS MORNING S SERVICE: PREACHER: John Wilkinson LITURGISTS: Martha Langford, Corni Labrum Peter A. DuBois Mary Ann Rutkowski Caroline Robinson GREETERS: Peg Rachfal, Darryl Powell, Hannah Powell, Jean Whitney, Fred and Jo Anne Smith USHERS: Nancy Adams, Robb Adams, Bill Boller, Priscilla Boller, Otto Muller-Girard, Jr., Jeff Sprague, Beth Tschorke, Phil Tschorke Elvis to Elton: Sue Locke, Becky D Angelo-Veitch COFFEE HOUR HOSTS:
September Sermon Series Today and next Sunday, John Wilkinson is preaching on the ways that Jesus first defies and then transforms our expectations about faith and life. Matthew s gospel will provide the particular focus. Read ahead to be prepared for these engaging conversations, and comment at the Third Church Facebook page or our Twitter feed. September 28: Expectations Transformed: Intention Matthew 21:23-32 Invitation to Prayer Each Sunday the Chapel is open for prayer at 10:00am. Spend time in silent prayer, light a candle, or request intercessory prayer with one of the Deacons. To add names to the weekly congregational prayer list, please contact Martha Langford at 271-6513, ext. 108 or mlangford@thirdpresbyterian.org. Heritage Members Luncheon Today, 12:15pm, Celebration Center All Third Church members who have achieved 75 years of life experience are cordially invited to lunch in the Celebration Center. September 21, 2014 MINISTRY, SERVICE, AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Happy Bunch Out to Lunch Today! Happy Bunch, a fellowship group gathering sharing lunch and conversation following worship on third Sundays. Join us at NAPA Wood Fired Pizza (573 S. Clinton Avenue). Contact: Karen Anne Bills: karenannebills@gmail.com. Youth & Qabats Kickoff Potluck/Parent Meeting Today, 5:00pm, Celebration Center Our Fall Programs kick off the year in the Celebration Center with a Youth Parent Meeting at 5:00pm, Potluck Supper for everyone at 5:45pm and a Qabats Parent Meeting at 6:30pm. Details about this upcoming year will be shared. Plan to attend the information meeting that applies to your family. Bring: A-H: Side Dish I-P: Dessert Q-Z: Salad and an 18 oz. jar of peanut butter for the Food Cupboard. COVENANT SINGERS will hold their first rehearsal today, as well, beginning at 5:00pm in the Choir Room! All youth in grades 7 12 are encouraged to be a part of this group, which will sing in worship several times this season AND present a youth musical in April. Come and find out all about it! YOUTH BELL REHEARSALS (Junior High Bells and Covenant Ringers) will begin on Sunday, October 5 at 4:30pm.
Witness Palestine Film Series Today, 12:00pm, Monday, September 22, 8:00pm at MuCCC Theatre, 142 Atlantic Avenue My Name is Rachel Corrie is a live, one-woman theater performance, part of the Rochester Fringe Festival. The play is based on diaries of an American peace activist killed while defending a host family s home from being demolished. Tickets are available through Rochester Fringe Festival. Adult Spiritual Formation September 28 Sunday Seminar: 9:30am in Johnston Hall A Conversation on Privilege after Ferguson, Missouri The Christian blog space filled with conversations about race and white privilege after the shooting death of Michael Brown. This privilege has been described as insidious when it keeps people of faith from responding to the suffering of others. So how do we respond? Come explore the boundaries of privilege and our call to do justice. Growing in the Word: 9:30am in the Parlor Philippians 2:1-30: Reflecting Christ s Humility led by Paul Gongloff. Thursday Voices September 25, Johnston Hall Explore the hymns we sing in worship. Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty; O Jesus, I Have Promised; At the Name of Jesus, led by John Wilkinson. Kenya Informational Meeting September 28 Another trip to Kenya to visit our partner church is in the planning stages! In early 2015, a group of Third Church folk will travel to the outskirts of Nairobi to share life experiences, participate in worship services, and become acquainted with the culture, environment and spiritual practices of our friends in the Kihumo Parish. Our experience from past trips where we covenanted to be patient, open and honest with each other as the partnership grows and strengthens the trips between members of each church need to take place more frequently. The first of two after church meetings will take place on September 28 to answer any questions you may have about the purpose of our partnership, what to expect when one travels there, and how being one of the 2015 Third Church Kenya Travelers will further our partnership, bringing joy both to you and to your Kihumo hosts. Please consider traveling with John Wilkinson, Becky D Angelo-Veitch and others. Contact Lynette Sparks (lsparks@thirdpresbyterian.org) with any questions you may have. Living Waters Wednesdays You are invited to join us in the Third Church Chapel at 6:00pm on Wednesday evenings beginning October 8 for a new worship opportunity. A worship service at a perfect time for: Individuals or families who may be away on a Sunday morning People who are seeking a midweek respite from the busy-ness of life
Chancel Choir members seeking a new experience prior to Wednesday rehearsal Qabats families not volunteering on a particular Wednesday Youth searching for an alternative worship opportunity Church neighbors Any of us, and all of us Whether you attend regularly on a Sunday morning or not, we invite you to give Living Waters Wednesdays a try. It will be good for your soul and good for the life of this community of faith. Please invite a friend to join us as well. Living Waters Wednesdays will begin October 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Worship Opportunity Serving communion at Third Church is a reflective and fulfilling act of service. If you are an ordained Elder or Deacon, please consider joining a team to serve either at chapel or sanctuary services during the year. Email Susan Fox at swichmanfox@gmail.com for details. Camp Cory Evening Prayer Sunday, September 28, 7:30pm Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fairport The children and youth of the area churches who participated in the August Camp Cory choir retreat will join together to present a beautiful service of Evening Prayer. Liturgy, psalms, readings, anthems and prayers will be led by the children s and youth choirs. All are welcome. Help Spread the Word about the Grocery Run! Stop at the Grocery Run table at Coffee Hour to pick up posters to hang at gyms, coffee shops, in the office, wherever you think runners will see it! Register early, before it s too late to get your commemorative edition 5 th Anniversary race shirt! Certain shirt sizes are going fast, so register online now to make sure you get the size you want. Then wear your shirt around town and talk up the race whenever you can. More runners mean more help fighting hunger in Rochester! Donations for UPT Children s Programs We are asking UPT congregations to wrap our arms around children in UPT programs through monthly donations. Current needs are pocket folders and pencils. Learning from Raleigh Tuesday, September 30, 7:00pm, Johnston Hall This past Spring, eleven people (convened by UPT) traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina to learn about their public education successes and see what lessons might be applied to Rochester. It was a transforming experience not only for the group, but also to help us think about possibilities locally. UPT and the Presbytery of Genesee Valley have an important role in helping to address challenges that Rochester schools are facing. Come learn about the trip, and more so, help us consider next directions in what we are calling the Great Schools for All conversation. Meals with a Meaning-October 4 Mark your calendar because you are invited for dinner in the home of one of our fellow members on October 4! This
is a wonderful opportunity to visit and get to know the people you see on Sundays. Our hosts and hostesses expecting you, so please let Maryjane Link know you would like to attend (mjlink@earthlink.net) or 738-1538. World Communion Sunday October 5 We will celebrate Communion with many other congregations as part of World Communion Sunday. To honor this, members of Third Church are invited to bake a loaf of bread that will be used as the element for our communion. Breads of international origin are welcome! Freshly baked bread will need to be delivered to the church kitchen Saturday morning, October 4 no later than noon. There will be a designated spot for bread in the kitchen in consideration of Dining Room Ministry. Please email Susan Fox at swichmanfox@gmail.com. Lunch and Learn October 5 12:15pm in the Celebration Center As life changes, it can become necessary to relocate--to a smaller home, the home of a friend or relative, a retirement community, or nursing home. Where do you start, and how does a family handle these events in ways that reduce stress and make for the best possible transition? Our speaker, Karen Menachof of Caring Transitions will address the elements of a good move for senior adults. A light lunch will be served. Please RSVP to the church office to reserve your place. A $5.00 donation is suggested to offset the cost of the meal. For more information, contact Martha Langford 585.271.6537 ext. 108, mlangford@thirdpresbyterian.org RAIHN Fundraiser RAIHN has been chosen as the beneficiary of the Genesee Brew House Brewery Charity Program. A portion of the proceeds from each tasting fee through September 30 assessed at the Brew House will be donated to RAIHN. To learn more, visit raihn.org. October 12 Flower Donor Needed If you would be willing to donate flowers on October 12 in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact Maryjane Link, mjlink@earthlink.net or 738-1538. Volunteers Needed Cameron Community Ministries is in serious need of kitchen volunteers. Cameron is looking for regulars who can come weekly and help prepare and serve meals from about 9 or 10am-2pm. Help is also needed with food pick-ups from FoodLink and some area restaurants and Wegmans. A large car or pick-up truck is helpful here. The times for this vary. If you can help in this way, please contact Cameron at (585) 254-2697 or email Cameron s volunteer coordinator at ccmvolunteerc@gmail.com. Do You Tweet? If you use twitter, we encourage you to follow @ThirdChurchRoc. We will be increasing our Twitter presence this fall, so join us! HUNGER SUNDAY Food Cupboard has a desperate need for Peanut Butter (18 oz.)
CALENDAR for September 21 September 28 Sunday at Third Church 9:30 am Junior Choir Rehearsal Moot Arts Room 9:30 am Sunday Seminar JH 9:30 am Growing in the Word Parlor 9:30 am Youth Church School CE 201 10:00 am Commissioning Class Informational Meeting CE 10:00 am Intercessory Prayer Chapel 10:45 am Worship Sanctuary 11:00 am Church School Education Building 11:45 am Coffee Hour Johnston Hall 12:00 pm Happy Bunch Out to Lunch Off Site 12:15 pm Heritage Members Lunch Celebration Center 12:15 pm Living Waters Ensemble Rehearsal Choir Room 5:00 pm Youth/Qabats Informational Meeting & Potluck Kick Off Supper CC 5:00 pm Covenant Singers Rehearsal Choir Room Monday, September 22 5:30 pm Worship, Music & Arts Parlor 6:00 pm Boy Scouts CC 6:45 pm Yoga JH Tuesday, September 23 9:15 am Morning Prayer Chapel 9:45 am Staff Meeting Parker Room 4:00 pm Presbytery Webster Wednesday, September 24 5:30 pm Junior Choir Rehearsal Moot Arts Room 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Choir Room Thursday, September 25 9:30 am Food Cupboard CC 10:45 am Celebration Ringers Moot Room 12:00 pm Thursday Voices JH 1:00 pm Book Club Library 5:30 pm Joint Budget & Finance JH 5:45 pm Third Church Ringers Moot Room Friday, September 26 Saturday, September 27 9:00 am More Light Retreat JH 10:00 am Dining Room Ministry CC Sunday, September 28 8:30 am Child Care CE 8:30 am Worship Chapel 10:00 am Intercessory Prayer Chapel 9:30 am Jr. Choir Rehearsal Moot Arts Room 9:30 am Junior High Church School CE 201 9:30 am Sunday Seminar JH 9:30 am Growing in the Word Parlor 10:45 am Worship Sanctuary 11:00 am Church School CE 12:00 pm Kenya Trip Informational Meeting JH 12:00 pm Kitchen Meeting Parker Room 4:45 pm Covenant Singers Rehearsal Choir Room 7:30 pm Camp Cory Evening Prayer Off Site Printed on recycled paper 4 Meigs Street, Rochester, NY 14607-2013 (585) 271-6513 FAX (585) 271-6910 WEBSITE: www.thirdpresbyterian.org